Looking for a great trail near Big Sur, California? AllTrails has 57 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. If you're looking for the best trails around Point Lobos State Natural Reserve or Garrapata State Park, we've got you covered. Gearing up for a challenge? There are 24 hard trails in Big Sur ranging from 4.9 to 33.4 miles and from 39 to 5,157 feet above sea level. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time!

Gorgeous walk on the beach. Purple sands, stunning rock formations, and if you walk all the way to the end, to the rocky area, you can find all kinds of marine critters hanging out in their natural habitat. The experience was like a day at the aquarium. I didn’t find the ‘keyhole’ particularly interesting as everyone else did. There were so many people gathered around taking pictures of that hole around sunset, it was so cliche. There were so many other interesting vantage points that kept me busy all day snapping pics. We stayed until sunset and it was phenomenal! It was definitely worth paying a visit to this beach.

This was a beautiful hike. Definitely go clockwise and ignore the recommendation from parking lot attendant to go the other direction. The downhill part isn’t as steep and rocky as he said and it would be a shame to have to hike up that part of the loop with your back to the vista that you came to see. Hiking clockwise gives you constant breathtaking views, you’ll find yourself stopping over and over again to snap some instagram worthy pics. Going down to the bluff was spectacular and the sun is to your back rather than in your face. Take the detour on the Spring Trail and go down to the ‘hidden’ beach. It’s quiet there because most people won’t hike that far to get to the beach, they will just take the short little beach trail near the beginning of the loop. We had the beach all to ourselves, it was magical. Amazing hike and although it’s not strenuous, we got a decent workout.

Top, one side of the closed loop but just a small part on the end, otherwise top top, a more mountainous side, the other sea. We made the loop in the other direction to see the sea back it was good like that.

We did the 5 mile round trip hike to the beach and back along the bluffs trail and it was truly incredible. Ocean views the entire time and you go down to a beach that is practically secluded. Also there was minimal tourists on the hike making it one of my favorites in Big Sur.

Amazing views! Prepare for lots of sun, as none of these trails provide much shade. The weather during the last week of August was perfect for the loop hike. Breezy, sunny, and moderate temperatures made a beautiful day to hike. Either direction will give you a vigorous work out when trying to make the summit. As suggested the clockwise take will provide a more enjoyable hike in terms of stamina requirements. Make sure to turn off onto the spring trail and hang out on the "hidden beach" for a bit before finishing the panoramic trail. Bring lots of water and a fully charged camera. you will want to live in some of these moments forever.
Have a great hike!

Highly recommend these set of trails for families. Have options and offer flat dry trails. Great ocean views. Stream now has a bridge to cross to avoid getting feet wet. Beach doesn’t have the cleanest white sand but has spots down the beach depending how far you want to walk. Some areas have a lot of rocks and tends to always be windy. All the trails are great with great views!

This is a hard trail that requires both physical and and mental stamina. You need mental stamina to fight the overgrown weeds especially the last mile. The good news is the trail slopes are moderate so not hard on your muscles going up nor on your knees going down. about two thirds of the trail is exposed, no shade at all, so don’t do it in a hot day unless you are accustom to it. Bring a lot of water, I would recommend about 3L each. The trail is narrow and washed out at many places, we did not feel any danger although you have to pay attention. You are not likely to fall off trail unless you are drunk-hiking or taking a stupid selfie for your Instagram followers. Don’t do in a wet day as it can be slippery. Wear long sleeves, pants and a hat as you will be scratched by all sorts of overgrown bushes and weeds or get your hair caught in twigs. There is no « Peak » as such, so disappointing. I would really recommend turning back at the mini radar/weather station about 0.3 miles to the top, it’s not worth going all the way, there is nothing to see. We hiked down at sunset and had amazing views on the ocean. Bottom line, Very long and narrow trail, challenging but not much interesting, I won’t do it again.